The NHL is back and so are our St. Louis Blues. Their 2021 season began yesterday on January 10. With several new faces and a new captain, the Blues will try to come back from last season while working to reclaim their Stanley Cup title.

After months of anticipation, hockey is back! The Blues have worked hard to improve themselves during the offseason after a short lived postseason in 2020. One way they have done so is by making Ryan O’Reilly their new captain.

Many Blues players were traded during the offseason including Jake Allen, Alex Steen and long-time captain Alex Pietrangelo. However, with all these losses, the team has adjusted well by signing Boston Bruin Torey Krug as defenseman. Mike Hoffman, who is currently on a Blues tryout contract, will also be added at offense.

Krug was a huge offseason addition to the Blues and is looking to replace Pietrangelo in the lineup. Although he can’t fill Pietrangelo’s shoes entirely, his unique possessions on defense will spark the offense allowing for more scoring opportunities.

Another key to the Blues defense is goalie phenomenon Jordan Binnington. Although he had a minor rough patch at the end of last season, expect him to come out this year much better. With a bright season ahead of him, Binnington could very well lead this team to another Stanley Cup.

After coming off a devastating injury in 2020, star veteran Vladimir Tarasenko is still questionable to start this season. However, when he is healthy, his offensive power will not be understated. For Tarasenko, it is a matter of getting playing time and doing what he does best: scoring.

“The best case scenario here is that Binnington bounces back from his postseason performance, Tarasenko returns as an impact player, and Mike Hoffman adds even more offensive punch to the roster and the Blues make a serious run at their second championship in three years,” NBC Sports writer Adam Gretz said.

The Blues are still top-dogs in search of another championship. With the addition of Hoffman combined with the scoring power of Tarasenko and O’Reilly, they will definitely have a chance of winning the Stanley Cup yet again.

Blues fans! Be sure to break out your Blues gear and watch the first game of the 2021 season this Wednesday at 9:30 PM on NBCSN!